US Navy liable for fuel leak that sickened military families in Hawaii

On Nov. 21, 2021, more than 10,000 people were forced to relocate after fuel reached residential areas.

by Jeremy Yurow, Court House News, May 7, 2025

HONOLULU (CN) — A federal judge Wednesday said the U.S. is liable for a 2021 fuel leak at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in Honolulu, which contaminated the drinking water of thousands of military families on the Hawaiian island of Oahu.

In the long-awaited preliminary decision, U.S. District Judge Leslie Kobayashi awarded 17 plaintiffs damages for pain and suffering ranging from $3,000 to $75,000, depending on the severity of their injuries. Four plaintiffs will also receive additional compensation for future medical expenses, totaling around $48,000. 

"It is clear to the court that many of the plaintiffs have suffered greatly and have a myriad of health issues," Kobayashi said in the 162-page preliminary findings order.

Economic losses, however, were minimal in the court's assessment, with only one plaintiff receiving $2,144 for such a loss. Each plaintiff was also granted $1,000 for loss of enjoyment of life.

Despite finding the government liable, the court rejected many of the plaintiffs' claims for damages. The court largely denied requests for ongoing medical treatment costs due to insufficient evidence, and dismissed claims for tutoring costs for affected children.

“The court is sympathetic to plaintiffs and their families but is nevertheless bound to hold plaintiffs to their legal obligation to provide evidence proving by a preponderance that the Fuel Release is a legal cause of each injury," Kobayashi said.

On Nov. 21, 2021, more than 10,000 people were forced to relocate after fuel reached residential areas. The Red Hill Shaft was shut down on Nov. 28, but by then, significant damage had occurred.

The judge found the government negligent in operating the facility where a ruptured fire suppression line led to jet fuel entering the water supply serving Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. 

The government argued for offsets to damages based on benefits already provided to plaintiffs, including temporary lodging allowance payments and potential future coverage through TRICARE, the military's health care program. Kobayashi rejected these arguments.

"It is too speculative for this Court to apply TRICARE offsets when the benefit has not vested," she said.

Many families described the upheaval as traumatic, moving between hotels, boiling water for basic needs, and some even eventually leaving the island.

"(The government) has made my family sick, destroyed our lives, and turned its back on us," Plaintiff Nastasia Freeman testified.

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M: Judge Rules in Favor of Military Families Sickened by Tainted Water on Hawaii Base | Military.com

AP: Judge awards $680K to families exposed to jet fuel-tainted water at Hawaii naval base - ABC News

CB: Red Hill Water Contamination: 'Disappointing' Payouts For Victims - Honolulu Civil Beat

SAS: Judge awards $600K to 17 individuals sickened by fuel-tainted Navy water in Hawaii | Stars and Stripes

SA: Damages are awarded in first Red Hill lawsuit | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

L360: Hawaii Judge Awards Damages For Navy's Red Hill Fuel Leaks - Law360